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The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 has announced the winners of the Young Sharjah Entrepreneurs initiative, a program dedicated to discovering and developing entrepreneurial talent among children. The competition showcased ten innovative projects presented by children aged 7 to 12 years during the initiative’s final pitch competition, according to official announcements from the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre.
Sheikha Mira bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder of Meera & Alya project, received the Innovation Award, while Ibrahim Al Hammadi, founder of a design-focused venture, won the Best Design Award. Additionally, Mohammed Zuhair, founder of EGO project, secured the Highest Profit Award, and Musaed Salem Al Khuzeimi, founder of Words That Grow, took home the Grand Prize for the pitch competition.
Recognition Ceremony Highlights Young Entrepreneurs in Sharjah
The awards ceremony was held in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), and Najla Al Midfa, Vice President of Sheraa. Sara Abdulaziz Al Neaimi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, presented the awards to the young winners in recognition of their efforts and outstanding participation in the competition.
Prior to the final results announcement, participants attended an intensive training workshop designed to prepare them for the entrepreneurship competition. The workshop focused on fundamental pitch skills presented in a simplified manner appropriate for the children’s age group, ensuring they understood key business presentation concepts.
Comprehensive Training Program for Young Participants
The training workshop covered essential elements of effective entrepreneurial pitching, according to program organizers. Participants learned the importance of identifying a problem before discussing their product and using clear, simple language when presenting their ideas. The curriculum also emphasized transforming everyday experiences into inspiring stories that help judges understand and engage with the projects.
The Young Sharjah Entrepreneurs initiative provides an age-appropriate educational experience that allows participants to explore entrepreneurship concepts through hands-on learning. However, what distinguishes this program is its comprehensive approach, combining idea development and presentation training within an interactive, supportive, and enjoyable environment tailored specifically for children.
Building Future Business Leaders Through Youth Entrepreneurship Programs
The initiative represents part of broader efforts to cultivate entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking among young people in Sharjah. By introducing children to business fundamentals at an early age, the program aims to foster creativity, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in presenting ideas to audiences.
Meanwhile, the diversity of winning projects demonstrates the range of creative solutions developed by participants. From design-focused ventures to profit-generating businesses and growth-oriented concepts, the young entrepreneurs showcased varied approaches to addressing market needs and opportunities.
In contrast to traditional educational programs, this hands-on initiative allows children to experience the complete entrepreneurship journey. Participants move from concept development through training and preparation to final presentation before judges, gaining practical experience in business planning and communication skills.
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival continues to expand its programming for different age groups, reinforcing the emirate’s commitment to building a comprehensive entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Young Sharjah Entrepreneurs initiative specifically targets the development of business acumen and innovative thinking from childhood, potentially shaping the next generation of business leaders in the region.
Details regarding the next edition of the Young Sharjah Entrepreneurs initiative have not yet been announced by organizers. However, the success of this year’s competition suggests the program will likely continue as part of future Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival programming, though specific dates and registration information remain to be confirmed.
